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Del Oro Students Rally To Raise Breast Cancer Awareness

LOOMIS (CBS13) - High school students are proving it's never too early to make health a top priority as they rallied to raise awareness about breast cancer and early detection.

More than 1,200 students, teachers and breast cancer survivors came together at Del Oro High School with the common goal of fighting breast cancer.

"Our rally will make a difference because it will raise awareness to people who don't know much about breast cancer," student Brandon Bousmn said.

While current statistics of the cancer are rare for those under the age of 20, studies show it's even more possible today that women, and even men, develop breast cancer.

Participating students were all decked out in pink.

"It will bring awareness to teenagers. We understand how much it affects us but we don't understand that a ton of people are affected with it; and that, there are steps you can take to prevent it," said Analise Heinritz.

Even the school's principal says the rally is to help teach students about early detection and prevention.

"The biggest is that we can get out of this is having students go home and talk to their parents, and talk to their friends, and get in to see the doctor, and also support people who are going through any sort of cancer," Principal Dan Gayaldo said.

"They need to get involved and go online and research and be aware of how big breast cancer really is," student Taylor Dumitru said.

This is the third year the school has raised money for the Susan G. Komen foundation.

More importantly, the rally brings students together to hopefully send a strong message that will last a lifetime.

"By eating healthy and understanding what can happen, understanding there are steps you can take to stop it from happening," said Libby Runte. "I do know friends that have been affected; and I understand how big of an impact it will have on your life and I want to make sure that everyone my age knows."

A study from the University of Washington shows breast cancer is on the rise about 5 percent for woman under the age of thirty. The study also found the disease increases slightly after age 18.

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